Olive Harvest Delegation

October 24 - November 6, 2016

The Olive Harvest Delegation was co-sponsored by the Fellowship of Reconciliation which founded Eyewitness Palestine (formerly Interfaith Peace-Builders) and sent our first official delegation in 2001.

Read eyewitness accounts from the ground, reports from meetings, and experiences with Palestinians and Israelis below.

The delegation focused on the Palestinian harvest season and its deep cultural significance; and explored how Palestinian access to land and water is limited through illegal Israeli settlement infrastructure and Israeli military policy.

Delegates also met with Palestinian groups and communities that continue to resist and organize for their rights, as well Israelis resisting militarization and working for peace with justice.

This delegation was Eyewitness Palestine's 62nd, successfully exposing more than 1,200 people to the daily realities facing Palestinians in their quest for justice.

We believe in the power of eye-witness experience and transformation. Given the opportunity to speak directly with Palestinians and Israelis, delegates return to the United States better informed, more energized, and with a deeper understanding of the possibilities for true justice in the Middle East.

Photos From the Delegation

From 2016 @ifpbdelegations Olive Harvest Delegation member @saraswat_s:
A year ago today I was also on a bus, somewhere between #Dheisheh refugee camp and the beach at #Jaffa, a 75 km trip that the Palestinians we just left behind weren’t allowed to take. One of the men there spoke of the beach as a longing, a goal. A dream.
Today I’m on my way to NYC from Boston, a 350 km trip that I’ve taken dozens of times, bus ticket usually bought the day before without any hesitation.
It’s amazing what can happen in the space of a year, what has happened in the space of this particular year. Here’s hoping more of us move through the world a little more aware, a little less blindly.
#viewfromthebus
#visitpalestine
#storieswecarry
#eyewitnespalestine
#ifpb60 • • •
Repost from @saraswat_s

A year ago today I was also on a bus, somewhere between Dheisheh refugee camp and the beach at Jaffa, a 75 km trip that the Palestinians we just left behind weren’t allowed to take. One of the men there spoke of the beach as a longing, a goal, a dream. Today I’m on my way to NYC from Boston, a 350 km trip that I’ve taken dozens of times, bus ticket usually bought the day before without any hesitation. It’s amazing what can happen in the space of a year, what has happened in the space of this particular year. Here’s hoping more of us move through the world a little more aware, a little less blindly. #ifpb60

It's been almost a year since I went to Palestine and I've had a hard time talking about that trip and an even a harder time writing about it. And then these three incredible people, who have been writing about Palestine for years, come in to the Booksmith and speak passionately about it in front of about a hundred people for nearly an hour and a half. They were thoughtful, articulate, and totally brilliant. I've never seen a more engaged audience and the discussion could have gone on for hours. Thank you to Khury, Ru, and Teju. #palfest #thisisnotaborder #ifpb60

Now more than ever, we must build a stronger, more connected community of justice-seekers; we must insist on our common humanity, and recommit to our human family. We need to share what we’ve seen and learned in Palestine and we need to we need to bring more people.
Please help us make the IFPB experience available to a whole new generation of budding activists - especially young people, who report that cost is the number one barrier to going on IFPB trips!
To help, go to bit.ly/generation2017

Last few photos from the Olive Harvest Delegation to Palestine. We're working on the final collection of trip reflections from the group, which you can sign up to get in your email at bit.ly/follow60.
@ifpbdelegations
@forusapeace ・・・ repost from @saraswat_s:
Waiting for a cab under the olive trees. #ifpb60

360 degree views on a gorgeous morning in Jenin, Palestine.
After celebrating the Olive Harvest with #CanaanFairTrade and staying with families, @ifpbdelegations and @forusapeace delegates enjoy a relaxing morning with their hosts. ・・・ Repost from @saraswat_s:
Best morning. #ifpb60

@saraswat_s and @taliruskin enjoy a beautiful morning after staying with Palestinian families in the Jenin area of Palestine.
The @ifpbdelegations and @forusapeace Olive Harvest Delegation was in Jenin to celebrate the harvest with #CanaanFairTrade
#ifpb60 ・・・ repost from @saraswat_s:
Jenin behind us, Jordan in the distance, Boston in front.
#ifpb60

Burqin, Palestine (occupied West Bank) where members of the Interfaith Peace-Builders and Fellowship of Reconciliation's Olive Harvest Delegation recently stayed with Palestinian families celebrating the harvest.
@ifpbdelegations
@forusapeace
#ifpb60 ・・・ Repost from @saraswat_s:
The lookout near Ahmed's new place. #ifpb60

It's the Olive Harvest in Palestine and members of the @ifpbdelegations and @forusapeace delegation recently spent a couple days with Palestinian families in and around Jenin.
#ifpb60 ・・・ Repost from @skyleroberst
#ifpb60 olive harvest

Goofing around during homestays. @ifpbdelegations and @forusapeace Olive Harvest Delegation members recently stayed with Palestinian families in the Jenin area of the occupied West Bank.
#ifpb60 ・・・ Repost from @saraswat_s:
Home stay. 💛#ifpb60

Olive Harvest Delegation participants were hosted by Palestinian families who are members of #CanaanFairTrade in the Jenin area of the occupied West Bank.
Homestays are an essential part if every IFPB delegation experience. Check out our 2017 delegations at www.ifpb.org/delegations/upcoming.html
#ifpb60
・・・ Repost from @saraswat_s:
Our lady hosts. #ifpb60

Mannousheh for breakfast at homestays with Palestinian families in the Jenin area of the occupied West Bank
Repost from @saraswat_s with the @ifpbdelegations and @forusapeace Olive Harvest Delegation in Palestine.
#ifpb60

Celebrating the Olive Harvest with #CanaanFairTrade in Burqin, Occupied Palestine.
@ifpbdelegations and @forusapeace
delegates partied with the farmers and their families to mark the end of the annual harvest.
repost from @saraswat_s
#ifpb60

Celebrating the Olive Harvest with #CanaanFairTrade in Burqin, Occupied Palestine.
@ifpbdelegations and @forusapeace
delegates partied with the farmers and their families to mark the end of the annual harvest.
repost from @saraswat_s
#ifpb60

It's the Palestinian Olive Harvest and you can celebrate it with great Fair Trade products from Canaan Palestine:
https://www.canaanusa.com/shop?code=IFPB
Visit Interfaith Peace-Builders and Canaan's online store and your purchase will support our strong partnership!
For more from the @ifpbdelegations and @forusapeace Olive Harvest Delegation to Palestine follow #ifpb60

Shop Palestinian Fair Trade products at www.ifpb.org/education/oliveoil
Get your hands on amazing olive oils like these and other products from #CanaanFairTrade and strengthen IFPB's partnership with Palestinian farmers.
Repost from @saraswat_s with the @ifpbdelegations and @forusapeace Olive Harvest Delegation in Palestine.
#ifpb60

Members of the Olive Harvest Delegation get down with warm taboon bread and fresh-pressed Palestinian olive oil at the #CanaanFairTrade Olive Harvest Festival in Burqin, occupied Palestine.
Get your fair trade olive oil and other Cannan products at www.ifpb.org/education/oliveoil
Your purchase supports Palestinian farmers and strengthens the partnership between Interfaith Peace-Builders and Canaan Fair Trade!
It doesn't get much better than that!
@ifpbdelegations
@forusapeace
#ifpb60 ・・・ repost from @saraswat_s:
Samples!
#ifpb60

It's the end of the Olive Harvest in #Palestine and the @ifpbdelegations and @forusapeace delegation has just wrapped up a couple days with #CanaanFairTrade and the Palestinian Fair Trade Association in the Jenin area.
Over the next couple days, we'll be reposting some photos from the Olive Harvest Festival and home stays with Palestinian farmers and their families.
#ifpb60 ・・・ repost from @saraswat_s:
Olive Harvest Festival and Canaan Fair Trade.
#ifpb60

Last in the Nazareth series:
Portrayals of the Virgin Mary and her child ring the Basillica of the Annunciation in Nazareth.
#Repost from @skyleroberst with the @ifpbdelegations and @forusapeace
Olive Harvest Delegation in Palestine/Israel
#ifpb60

Portrayals of the Virgin Mary and her child ring the Basillica of the Annunciation in Nazareth.
#Repost from @skyleroberst with the @ifpbdelegations and @forusapeace
Olive Harvest Delegation in Palestine/Israel.
#ifpb60

Follow the Delegation

Delegates in Action

Eyewitness Palestine delegate Seth M. is part of the team working on “Brooklyn, Inshallah”, the story of how Khader El-Yateem, the first Arab American ever to run in a Democratic primary for an open seat on the NY City Council, registered and mobilized over 3,000 Arab & Muslim voters. The hopes is that his story will mobilize many more Arab and Muslim voters in the future.

Eyewitness Palestine delegate & writer Shuchi Saraswat has put together an incredible reading which will be held at the bookstore Brookline Booksmith, Friday October 6th at 7pm. Please spread the word and bring your community with you!

Eyewitness Accounts from the Delegation

Laurie and I are staying 10 days after the delegation. Some mysterious force canceled the reservation we previously booked and put us in a great hotel in the Old City of Jerusalem, next to the Tower of David Museum.

Arriving in Jerusalem, took me back to the origins of a people of three faiths; Christianity, Judaism and Islam. To see and experience the livening presence of the three faiths and how they are interconnected through this historical, middle- eastern Arab town named Jerusalem to the faith of three historic peoples opens my mind and heart to listen and hear fully.

In order to drive a vehicle, one must have a license. In the case of Israel and the West Bank the plates are either yellow (Israeli) or green and white (Palestinian). We had a yellow license plate that enabled us to use the super highways built for the Israeli settlers. Our travel would have been severely curtailed if we had had to go through the numerous checkpoints.

Having spent the last ten days in Palestine and Israel, where we met with the most compelling Palestinian and Israeli speakers, I was blown away by the diverse perspectives and their articulated hope for a just and peaceful resolution.

Our eyes saw the checkpoint for people crossing from Gaza to Israel. Of course, it is more than a simple checkpoint (can such a thing be simple?), it is a massive stretch of buildings containing Israeli intelligence offices, interrogation rooms, detention cells, and who knows what else.

While the other delegates were watching the IDF teenagers with automatic weapons, I was enchanted by the children. I was at the back of the group and was watching them when they saw Issa Amro. As soon as they spotted him they began to chant in unison, “Issa Amro! Issa Amro! Issa Amro!” As they neared us shyness overcame them and they merely grinned ear to ear.

Imagine this scenario in the USA.The camp is for Palestinians whose homes were razed by Israel. The focus is on educational workshops and they recently staged an exhibit of paintings called In Between, that describes the angst of young people living with daily trauma.

Although there is a concerted effort to erase the existence of Palestinians since the time of the Nakba, archaeologists were able to save the remains of the community of Lifta, a wealthy and intellectual hub, near Jerusalem. We hiked down to the main gathering place of Lifta where there is a beautiful spring surrounded by trees.

Any Jewish person has the right of return, return to a place she or her family has never been. No Palestinian person has the right to return to the place of her birth or her family home. Opposing the expansion of Zionism is not anti-Semitic.

I saw Palestine today. Endless foothills without many signs of life. I can tell that someone lives there because the hills have been sculpted like steps leading to somewhere. It looks like a massive undertaking, carving steps from bottom to top, the full circumference of the foothill of a mountain.

Last week we visited the Tent of Nations south of Bethlehem. Daher Nassar greeted us so warmly with the biggest, most genuinely joyful smile, and showed us his family’s farm. Though almost completely surrounded by large, growing settlements, his family has legal papers documenting their title to the 100-acre hillside farm dating back to the Ottoman Empire.

My ancestors spoke to me. No, they yelled at me, pulled and pushed me, argued and turned their backs on each other in my tense body. Our Olive Harvest Delegation visited the Palestinian hillside village of Lifta. Just outside Jerusalem, Lifta was attacked by the Haganah Zionist militia in December 1947.

We witnessed the village of Lifta today - a village attacked by Zionist militias in 1947 and soon abandoned by its people as not to experience the reality of neighboring villages like Deir Yasin whose people were massacred. This story is similar to the story of over 500 Palestinian villages.

This place, atop a roof surrounded by partial walls and ceiling of cinder blocks, tin, burlap and tarps, has a feeling like home. It's not the physical surroundings that feel familiar, but the strong sense of community that clearly lives here.

At the end of the first day, I haven’t looked into the part of my brain that tells me how I feel about today’s trip. My main focus today was to shut up the part of my mind that judges and evaluates and let my inner most self soak in the surroundings, the people and their lives, the words of the speakers and the emotion in the spaces.

I’m not sure what day it is but my husband and I left Cleveland, Ohio Thursday evening. We arrived after a 10 hour bus ride to Washington DC for orientation. I was eager to meet everyone embarking on this journey and to discover why they chose to travel to Palestine/Israel.

We have been hearing a lot about what is called 'fake news'. We have indeed been getting filtered and biased news for decades. But unfiltered news can be learned by eyewitness accounts today through the miracle of direct digital communication. The following is what our delegation witnessed today.

Over the mountains, over the sea and through Israeli security... "Are you with this group? Please go to the waiting area miss, we need to do another check on your passport. . . Why are you here? You've been here before? Then why did you come back?"

The delegation is on the ground in Palestine this week during a unique historic moment — the 100th anniversary of the Balfour Declaration and the reconciliation deal between Fatah and Hamas political parties.

Fair Trade Products Direct From Palestine!

We partner with Canaan Fair Trade to make high-quality fair trade Palestinian products available throughout North America. Your purchase support Palestinian farmers and strengthens our work with fair trade farming communities!

We invite delegation participants to comment on and react to their experiences in Palestine/Israel in these eyewitness accounts. Rather than comprehensive accounts of every meeting or experience, these are impressions of individual experiences. Submitted accounts may be edited for clarity or brevity.

Eyewitness accounts do not necessarily reflect the views of Eyewitness Palestine or delegation partner organizations. We hope you enjoy reading and we encourage you toshare these reflections with others.

Are you ready for your journey for justice?

Founded in 2001, Eyewitness Palestine works to build movements of solidarity with grassroots struggles for justice in Palestine/Israel. Your journey for justice with Palestinian and Israeli peace-builders starts here!